FAQ

Contents

New!

• How do I get a Viper 770 to run the game?
• I installed the game but can't play it. Instead, I get the "unable to open UI resource file" error message. How do I fix this?
• How do I get the throttle and rudder to work on my two-axis joystick?

Technical Support

• Where do I get technical support?

Drivers, Drivers, Drivers

• About drivers...
• Where can I get the latest version of DirectX?
• How do I check DirectX on my PC?
• How can I find the Web site for my 3D board/driver?
• Joystick Drivers

About the Game

• Some Facts about the Game
• Best Performance for Windows 98
• What 3D Chipsets and Drivers have been tested with the game?
• Additions and Changes from the Play Manual

Troubleshooting

• I installed the game but can't play it. Instead, I get the "unable to open UI resource file" error message. How do I fix this?
• How do I get the throttle and rudder to work on my two-axis joystick?
• I get "Error: Unable to Load SL_TGL.dll" when I try to run the game. What should I do?
• How do I play the game using the mouse?
• Why does using a shifted key sometimes locks a command on?
• Why does the game start slow on some Voodoo boards?
• How do I get my nVidia Riva 128 (or 128 ZX) card to display missing textures?
• How do I get a Viper 770 to run the game?
• What’s the deal with Using Alt+Tab on a Riva TNT board?
• How do I run the game on an ATI Rage Pro?
• I’ve just installed a Gravis GamePad Pro USB. How do I use it with the game?
• How do I run the game on a PC with a Microsoft Digital Sound System 80?

Video Mode Selector

• Why does the Video Mode Selector show 3dfx settings even though I’ve removed my 3dfx board from my PC. Can I use these settings anyway?
• Can I run a 3dfx board using Direct3D instead of 3dfx Glide? (The Selected Driver menu on the Video Mode Selector has this option.)
• How do I set Video Buffers using the Video Mode Selector?

Where do I get technical support?

Contact the THQ Inc.("THQ") Customer Service Department at (818) 225-5167 or on the web at http://www.thq.com. Customer Service representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm PST or you can use THQ's automated systems by phone or on the web 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The 5 digit Product Code for Sinistar: Unleashed is 49013. Please use this code when contacting THQ.

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About drivers...

Always get the latest drivers for your hardware, especially for your video, 3D accelerator, and sound cards. Systems that use older drivers can experience problems. Contact the cards'  manufacturers for the latest drivers. (See the list of 3D drivers below.)

If your system uses (or should use DirectX), you can experience problems if DirectX is not installed or is not functioning correctly. See below for more on DirectX.

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Where can I get the latest version of DirectX?

Sinistar: Unleashed requires DirectX 6.1 or later. DirectX is available at http://www.microsoft.com/directx/. The current version (as of autumn 1999) is DirectX 7.

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How do I check DirectX on my PC?

1. Click the Start button and select Find: Files or Folders...
2. In the Find window, enter DXDIAG in the "Named" field.
3. In the "Look In" field, check that the C: drive is selected and no folder is specified.
4. Click OK.

If DXDIAG is not found, most likely you do not have DirectX 6 or later installed or it is installed incorrectly. Install the latest version of DirectX (see above).

If DXDIAG is found, double-click on it to run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Your DirectX version number appears on the first (Help) tab. Use this tool as described in the tool's help files to check out DirectX. If you are having problems that may be DirectX-related (such as video or audio problems) be sure to check the DirectX Drivers tab on the tool. If the tab displays drivers that are not certified to work with DirectX, this may be your problem! Find the maker of the driver (if you don't know, find the file, get its properties, and see what the Version tab displays) and contact them for the latest, DirectX-certified driver. Also see the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and its help files for more details.

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How can I find the Web site for my 3D board/driver?

Aopen: http://www.aopen.com/
Asus: http://www.asus.com/
ATI Technology: http://support.atitech.ca/
Aztech Labs: http://www.aztechca.com/aztfiles.html
Best Data Products: http://www.bestdata.com/
California Graphics: http://www.californiagraphicsusa.com/
Canopus: http://www.canopuscorp.com/
Cirrus Logic: http://www.cirrus.com/drivers
Cornerstone Technology: http://www.bigmonitors.com/
Creative Labs: http://www.soundblaster.com/home.html
Deltron: http://www.deltrontech.com/
Diamond Multimedia Systems: http://www.diamondmm.com/products/product-support.html
Elsa: http://www.elsa.com/
Gainward: http://www.gainward.com/
Gallant Computer: http://www.gallantcom.com/
Genoa Electronics: http://www.genoasys.com/
Guillemot: http://www.guillemot.com/
Hercules Computer Technology: http://www.hercules.com/support/drivers
Intel: http://developer.intel.com/design/graphics/
Intergraph: http://www.intergraph.com/
I/OMagic: http://www.iomagic.com/
Jaton: http://www.jaton.com/
Leadtek: http://www.leadtek.com/
Matrox Graphics: http://www.matrox.com/mga/drivers/home.htm
Metabyte: http://www.metabyte.com/
NewCom: http://www.newcominc.com/
Number Nine Visual Technology: http://www.nine.com/
nVidia: http://www.nvidia.com/home.html
Oak Technology: http://www.oaktech.com/
OPTi: http://www.opti.com/
Orchid: http://www.orchid.com/support
Paradise (Relialogic): http://www.paradisemmp.com/
PowerVR (NEC & VideoLogic): http://www.powervr.com
Quantum3D: http://www.quantum3d.com/
Real 3D: http://www.real3d.com/support/drivers.asp
Rendition: http://www.rendition.com/
Reveal Computer Products: http://www.reveal.com/
SIIG: http://www.siig.com/
STB Systems: http://www.stb.com/drivers/
STMicroelectronics: http://us.st.com/stonline/products/index.htm
S3: http://www.s3.com/
Teppro: http://www.teppro.com/
Trident (Tekram): http://www.tekram.com/
Ubi Soft: http://www.ubisoft.com/
Wicked 3D: http://www.wicked3d.com/
3dfx Interactive: http://www.3dfx.com/
3Dlabs: http://www.3dlabs.com/

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Joystick Drivers

We strongly recommend that you install the latest drivers for your joystick. (For Microsoft SidewinderŪ Joystick Users: Sidewinder drivers are now at version 3.x (version 3.02 as of spring 1999) and are available at http://www.microsoft.com/products/hardware/sidewinder/default.htm.)

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Some Facts about the Game

Starting Score

Your score always starts at zero in a new game, even if you skip zones.

Jumpgates

Once a jumpgate is energized, there is nothing you can do to prevent the Sinistar’s arrival.

Saved Game Files

If you lose your last life, the game is over. If you had a saved game file for that game, it is automatically deleted. Your final score will be retained in the High Score list.

Targeting Mounted Turrets

Turrets mounted on enemy ships, satellites, and the Sinistar can be targeted and destroyed separately from their parent object. Hint: The Lightning Gun can make a great turret razor!

When Playing on Easy Difficulty

1) Your mining laser has an auto-aiming fire cone. When you fire a shot, auto-aiming will check for a target in the fire cone and aim the shot at the target. If the target is moving, auto-aiming will lead the shot, too. Watch how auto-aiming leads your laser shots, and you’ll learn how to lead them, too!

2) Your ship has an extra-powerful crystal magnet, which draws in crystals floating nearby in space.

Ship Maneuverability

For a more responsive ship, move the Ship Maneuverability slider to the right to increase your ship’s maneuverability.

If you have trouble aiming or maneuvering, however, move the Ship Maneuverability slider to the left to decrease your ship’s maneuverability. This will make it easier to aim, although the game will be harder to play with a less maneuverable ship.

Once you’ve gained experience, we strongly recommend that you use the ship’s default maneuverability. Use the Reset Maneuverability button to reset Ship Maneuverability to its default value. The game is balanced for the default, and using the default gives you the best play experience.

Enemies and Scoring:

If you fire and damage an enemy and it is then destroyed by some other means, its destruction does not count for your score. You only score points for destroying an enemy when its destruction is caused by a shot from your weapons. If it is destroyed for any other reason, such as by friendly fire or in a collision (even a collision with your ship), it does not count toward your score.

Lives and Scoring:

When you win Level 24, you receive a 1,000,000 point bonus for each life you have at the end of the game. For example, if you have six lives when you win Level 24, your score receives a bonus 6,000,000 points. So, to get the best score, try to have as many lives as you can at the end of the game!

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Best Performance for Windows 98

For best performance when using Windows 98, turn off Active Desktop if you have it on. Click the Start button, go to Settings and then Active Desktop. If the View as Web Page option is checked, Active Desktop is on. To turn it off, highlight the option and click on it.

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What 3D chipsets and drivers have been tested with the game?

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Additions and Changes from the Play Manual

Joystick/Mouse Analog Controls Screen: Reset Maneuverability Button

The Ship Maneuverability slider has a Reset Maneuverability button. To restore the default maneuverability, highlight the Reset Maneuverability option and press Enter.

Video Screen: Use Small Textures Toggle

Highlight the Use Small Textures control and press Space to toggle it on and off. When off (the default), the game uses large textures, which have the greatest visual quality but can reduce performance on some systems. If you experience performance problems, toggle this option on, which increases performance while reducing visual quality.

Game Options Screen: First Person View Toggle

Highlight the First Person View control and press Space to toggle it on and off. When off (the default), you start play in Third Person View. When on, you start play in First Person View. (The game also remembers which view you last used and uses that view when you play again, regardless of your First Person View setting.)

Joystick/Mouse Analog Controls Screen: Force Feedback Gain Slider

Highlight the Force Feedback Gain slider and press the left and right cursor keys to change the strength of the force feedback. Move the slider left to lower the strength; right to increase it.

Self Destruct Key

The self destruct key is the "End" key, not the "I" key.

Chart on the CD Case

The chart on some Sinistar: Unleashed CD cases incorrectly lists F1-F9 for the weapons keys. 1-9 are correct.

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I installed the game but can't play it. Instead, I get the "unable to open UI resource file" error message. How do I fix this?

We believe that this occurs when you try to install DirectX while installing the game, and the DirectX installation failed for some reason. Although it looks like the game is installed correctly, it isn't. Here's what to do:

1. Obtain and install the latest version of DirectX (currently DirectX 7). DirectX is available at http://www.microsoft.com/directx/. Use this version to update your system with the latest version of DirectX. Reboot your computer after installing DirectX.

2. Install Sinistar: Unleashed from the CD-ROM. Select NO when the installation prompts you about installing DirectX 6.1.

If this does not resolve your problem, please contact technical support with specific details.

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How do I get the throttle and rudder to work on my two-axis joystick?

Some two-axis joysticks do not respond correctly to the default throttle and rudder controls. If you have a two-axis joystick and are having trouble with the throttle or rudder (which controls rolling), follow these instructions:

1. If you are running Sinistar: Unleashed, exit the game. Open the Sinistar: Unleashed folder on your hard drive and open the keymap.cfg file there.

2. If you have problems with the throttle, delete the following line in the keymap.cfg file:

bind JoyZ Throttle

3. If you have problems with the rudder, delete the following line in the keymap.cfg file:

bind JoyR Roll

4. Save the file. When you restart Sinistar: Unleashed, use the Key and Buttons Controls Screen to assign throttle and roll to buttons on your stick. (Or, just use the keyboard commands for the throttle and roll.)

Warning: You will have to edit your keymap.cfg file again if you use the Reset to Default button on the Key and Button Controls Screen, or if you select a two-button joystick configuration from the Joystick/Mouse Analog Controls Screen.

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I get "Error: Unable to Load SL_TGL.dll" when I try to run the game. What should I do?

If you get the error "Unable to load SL_TGL.dll" when you try to run the game, your video is configured incorrectly. Run the Video Mode Selector (see Configuring the Game in the Play Manual for details). In the Selected Device menu, switch from the RGB Emulation option to the Direct3D HAL option. Then click Save Settings and rerun the game.

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How do I play the game using the mouse?

You must turn on the Mouse Look option. See Joystick/Mouse Analog Controls in the Play Manual's Configuration Screen section.

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Why does the game start slow on some Voodoo boards?

Due to how some current drivers work for various Voodoo boards, action in the first second of game play can run very slowly. Things run fine after the first second.

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Why does using a shifted key sometimes locks a command on?

On the Key and Buttons Controls Screen, you can assign the Right and Left Shift keys to game controls. However, do not use Shift in combination with another key when assigning controls! (For example, do not use Shift+[ to try to assign { to a control.) If you try this, in some rare cases a command can become permanently stuck "on" while playing the game. If this happens, go to the Key and Buttons Controls Screen and use the Reset to Default Settings button to reset your controls.

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How do I get my nVidia Riva 128 (or 128 ZX) card to display missing textures?

Cards based upon the nVidia Riva 128 or 128 ZX chip will sometimes display surfaces that have missing textures. If you are running the nVidia reference drivers, you can remedy this by entering the Control Panel (via Settings on the Start menu), selecting Display, choosing the Riva 128 tab, and making sure that the "Use Only Square Textures" option is unchecked. If you are running any drivers other than the reference drivers, consult the documentation for your specific video card to find out how to change this option. Please make sure you’re running the most recent drivers for your card, whether reference or manufacturers’.

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What’s the deal with Using Alt+Tab on a Riva TNT board?

If you have a Riva TNT, do not use Alt+Tab (task switching) to leave the game while the game is paused. If you do, the game will not successfully resume when you try to switch back to it. (Using Alt+Tab while the game is NOT paused is fine.)

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How do I run the game on an ATI Rage Pro?

You must have the latest drivers for the Rage Pro. Get the Rage Pro Windows 9X drivers version 4.11.2548 or later.

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How do I get a Viper 770 to run the game?

Diamond Multimedia is currently testing a new driver for the Viper 770 and will post it to their site soon. In the meantime, use the 2.08 Detonator reference drivers from http://www.nvidia.com to run the game on a Viper 770.

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I’ve just installed a Gravis GamePad Pro USB. How do I use it with the game?

Simply reboot your PC after you install a GamePad Pro USB on your system.

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How do I run the game on a PC with a Microsoft Digital Sound System 80?

If your computer uses a Microsoft Digital Sound System 80, you must have it turned on to play the game. If it is turned off, you will get a "Sound Init Failed" error when you try to run the game.

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The Video Mode Selector show 3dfx settings even though I’ve removed my 3dfx board from my PC. Can I use these settings anyway?

If your PC doesn’t have a 3dfx card (Voodoo Graphics, Voodoo2, Voodoo Banshee, or Voodoo3) installed, do not select any 3dfx setting when using the Video Mode Selector. Typically, the Video Mode Selector can detect if your PC does not have a 3dfx card and automatically will not display any 3dfx options. However, if your PC once had a 3dfx card that was subsequently removed and its software uninstalled, the uninstallation process may not eradicate all traces of the card’s existence, thereby causing the Video Mode Selector to display 3dfx settings.

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Can I run a 3dfx board using Direct3D instead of 3dfx Glide? (The Selected Driver menu on the Video Mode Selector has this option.)

For optimal performance and visual quality on a 3dfx board, choose "3dfx Voodoo" for your setting. Do not choose "Direct3D."

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How do I set Video Buffers using the Video Mode Selector?

The printed play manual is incorrect when it mentions Video Buffers. There is no Video Buffer option.

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Contents